STUARTS COACHES 15 DAY REEF, RANGE & RED DUST TOUR (Outback & Coastal Queensland ) DAY 1: (LD): HOME PORT TO NYNGAN: Sunday 05 August 2018 This morning we depart Stuarts Depot at 6.30am for our holiday to Queensland. Today s travel takes us over Kangaroo Valley and down along the Hume Highway before turning off to Cowra and Parkes in central western NSW. Our lunch stop will be at Eugowra before travelling through to Dubbo and onto Nyngan for our first overnight stop. Dinner is not far away at the RSL Club. (Lunch enroute, Dinner at RSL) Country Manor Motor Inn, Nyngan, PH: 02 6832 1447 DAY 2: (BLD): NYNGAN TO CHARLEVILLE: Monday 06 August 2018 After a hearty breakfast we continue north to Bourke on the banks of the Darling River. Here we enjoy the local sights before travelling across the border into Queensland. We make our way to Cunnamulla, located on the banks of the Warrego River and the starting point for the Matilda Highway. From Cunnamulla we continue through Wyandra to Charleville, where we have dinner and a restful night. (Breakfast and dinner at the motel, Lunch enroute at Cunnamulla) Mulga Country Motor Inn, PH: 07 4654 3255 DAY 3: (BD): CHARLEVILLE TO LONGREACH: Tuesday 07 August 2018 This morning we drive north through Blackall, home to the legendary gun shearer Jackie Howe and where he set the almost unbelievable record of shearing 321 sheep with blade shears in a day. A bronze statue now stands as a monument to the man and the achievement. From here we continue our journey north to Barcaldine, a town steeped in the history of the early pioneer struggles and the evolution of Australia as a nation. We take a tour of the town and hear about the shearers strike in the 1890 s and see the Tree of Knowledge memorial next to the Barcaldine Railway Station which marks the spot where the Australian Labour Party was formed. From here we continue onto Longreach, a town which has played a significant role in the early development of central Queensland and outback Australia. It is a focal point in the early days of QANTAS and is the home of the now famous Stockmans Hall of Fame. As we settle into our rooms, get comfy, as we will be here for the next three nights. (Breakfast and dinner in the motel, Lunch own expense) DAY 4: (BD): LONGREACH: Wednesday 08 August 2018 This morning we enjoy the sights of the town and have included a visit to the School of Distance Education. We then travel out to visit Longway Station, in the heart of Captain Starlight country, and a fully operational cattle and sheep grazing property set on 34 000 acres. We enjoy true outback hospitality with morning tea on the sweeping verandahs of the gracious homestead. Step back in time to the days of the pioneer as well as gain first hand knowledge of the day to day workings of a large outback Queensland station. We return to Longreach and visit the Stockmans Hall of Fame.
Here we will see outback antiques, videos that make use of modern technology to tell old stories, an 1866 settlers hut and all the stockmans paraphernalia is on show. This evening, we embark on a river cruise. Although this is more than just a river cruise! We will watch the sun set while cruising on the historic Thomson Belle Paddlewheeler. Afterwards, on the banks it is time to enjoy a drover s dinner and entertainment around the campfire. This will be a memorable evening. (Breakfast in the motel, Lunch own expense, Drovers dinner and cruise) DAY 5: (BLD): LONGREACH: Thursday 09 August 2018 We can enjoy a sleep in today, before we make our way into the main street and visit the Outback Pioneers Station Store. The Station Store has an amazing range of traditionally made leatherwear and a treasure trove of historic nostalgia. We spend the morning here and enjoy morning tea in the café, then meet that famous horse and its larrikin owner and his son who present a live show The Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show. Based on the traditional outback travelling shows, it s hard not to be charmed by the simple delights of bush theatre. The Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show tells a fictional story set in the time of Harry Redford (Captain Starlight) and refers to his infamous adventures. Next, our coach takes us to the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, adjacent to the historic 1922 Qantas hangar, which has been restored as part of the project. Lunch will be at the Café connected to the museum. The complex houses the museum, theatrette and exhibition hall, visitor information centre and restaurant. Historic photographs, memorabilia and multi-media interactive displays eloquently tell the inspirational stories of overcoming the problems of long distance travel in Outback Australia. A Boeing 747-200, donated by Qantas Airways Ltd, is the latest addition to the exhibit and forms a spectacular part of the museum's outdoor display. Our guided tour provides us with an appreciation of the vision and achievements of the Qantas Founders, which is "that Qantas would one day become one of the worlds greatest airlines. Back at the motel there may be time to have a swim in the pool before dinner tonight. (Breakfast and dinner in the motel, Lunch at McGuninnes Restaurant) DAY 6: (BLD): LONGREACH TO EMERALD: Friday 10 August 2018 Today we farewell Longreach and retrace our steps to Barcaldine and continue on the Capricorn Highway and stop to enjoy our picnic lunches as we travel through the outback towns of Alpha and Bogantungan. This afternoon, we make a short detour to Rubyvale to visit Miners Heritage, Australia s largest underground sapphire mine. We enjoy a guided walk in mine tour, discover the process of underground sapphire mining & wonder at the amazing array of colours. At the Gem Gallery we view the showroom displays then relax with the resident rainbow lorikeets in the award winning garden. From here we continue to Emerald - the commercial hub of Central Queensland. Time permitting, before checking into our overnight accommodation, we take in the sights of Emerald which include the historic railway station built in 1900 and now classified by the National Trust. Outside the Town Hall we also see a fossilised tree that is 250 million years old. It was unearthed on the banks of the Mackenzie River when a railway bridge was being constructed to one of the local mines and donated to the town on the event of its centenary by BHP Mines. (Breakfast and dinner in the motel, picnic lunch included)
Western Gateway Motel, Emerald, PH: 07 4913 1050 DAY 7: (BLD): EMERALD TO YEPPOON: Saturday 11 August 2018 After breakfast we depart Emerald and east travel through the town of Blackwater then across the Great Dividing Range to the coastal plain and Rockhampton. Located on the banks of the Fitzroy River, Rockhampton is known as Australia s beef capital, and sits astride the Tropic of Capricorn. After a relatively small goldrush, cattle soon became the big industry. Rockhampton is the regional capital of central Queensland and has a number of well preserved riverside buildings within its business district. On arrival we enjoy a locally guided tour of the city including a visit to the city s famous Botanical Gardens, where we have our picnic lunch. This afternoon we head to Yeppoon and check into our hotel for the next 3 nights. (Breakfast and dinner at our accommodation, Picnic Lunch) DAY 8: (BLD): YEPPOON / CRUISE: Sunday 12 August 2018 After breakfast we travel to Roslyn Bay where we board our boat for today s cruise around this magnificent area. Our first port of call is the pontoon, which is located on Big Peninsula near Great Keppel Island. Here we enjoy the many splendours this area has to offer, both on top of and below the water. The pontoon is a large platform area with umbrellas and snorkelling platform for safe entry to the water. Our visit to the pontoon includes a glass bottom boat cruise and for those that wish, a shuttle to nearby Secret Beach. From the pontoon we transfer by boat to Great Keppel Island for lunch and some free time this afternoon to enjoy the island. After a fabulous day we cruise back to the mainland and return to the motel for dinner. (Breakfast and dinner at the hotel, Lunch provided) DAY 9: (BD): LEISURE DAY: Monday 13 August 2018 Free day (Breakfast and dinner at the hotel, Lunch own expense) DAY 10: (BLD): YEPPOON TO BUNDABERG: Tuesday 14 August 2018 This morning we depart Rockhampton and pass the actual line of the Tropic of Capricorn on our way to the small towns of Agnes Waters and Seventeen Seventy. Late morning we board the awardwinning LARC (lighter amphibious resupply cargo vessel) for a picnic lunch cruise/tour along the coastline of the Eurimbula National Park located along the Southern Great Barrier Reef. We have some time for local sightseeing after our cruise, then head south to Bundaberg for our overnight stay. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel, picnic lunch included in LARC tour/cruise) Country Comfort Bundaberg International. PH: 07 4151 2365 DAY 11: (BLD): BUNDABERG TO HERVEY BAY: Wednesday 15 August 2018 This morning we discover the secrets of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks with a variety of hands-on activities at the home of ginger beer. Take an amazing journey through the True Brew Experience to see what happens to the humble ginger root as it s crushed, brewed and fermented to make the world s finest ginger beer. The Sampling Bar offers free product tastings of the entire range of brewed
drinks. At last count there were 14 delicious flavours to try, including the famous Bundaberg Ginger Beer. Next we are off to the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, dedicated to the life and times of the famous aviator Bert Hinkler. In 1928 he made the first solo flight between England and Australia. The house in which he lived his final years was transported from Southampton, England to its present location within the gardens. We ll also enjoy a light lunch here in the gardens before heading to the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery. This Australian spirit has been rolled out of the production line for 110 years and today we are here for a guided tour. We ll be able to look, feel and taste our way through the making process starting with the raw material molasses to the aromas of maturing spirit. From Bundaberg we have a relaxing drive to Hervey Bay and check into our hotel for the next two nights. (Breakfast and dinner at the motel, lunch at Café 1928) Ramada Resort, Hervey Bay, PH: 07 4197 0500 DAY 12: (BLD): FRASER ISLAND: Thursday 16 August 2018 This morning we board the ferry at River Heads for a day on magnificent Fraser Island. Being the largest sand island in the world, Fraser hosts an amazing range of rainforests, freshwater lakes, sand dunes and miles of beaches. As the island has no roads and all access is via sand tracks and the beach, we take a 4WD tour of the island, showing us the many island sights, the crystal clear freshwater lakes, the magnificent wilderness and rich rainforests. Fraser is also famous for its dingo population. The dingoes on the island are the most pure bred in Australia. Visit one of the best known landmarks on the island - the Maheno Shipwreck, blown ashore during a cyclone. Enjoy a delicious lunch and after an exhilarating and memorable day touring Fraser Island (and perhaps a swim in a clear lake so bring your bathers) we return to the mainland. (Breakfast and dinner at the motel, Lunch provided) Ramada Resort, Hervey Bay, PH: 07 4197 0500 DAY 13: (BD): HERVEY BAY TO TWEED HEADS: Friday 17 August 2018 Today we continue south along the Bruce Highway. Our morning stop is at Noosa Heads, a popular tourist resort on the fabulous Sunshine Coast. Enjoy a stroll along Hastings Street with its great range of shops and boutiques or spend some time enjoying the beach. From Noosa we follow the Sunshine coast through Maroochydore before continuing via the Gateway Bridge to the southern end of the Gold Coast.. (Breakfast and dinner at the motel, Lunch own expense) Mantra Twin Towns, Tweed Heads, PH: 07 5536 2121 DAY 14: (BLD): GOLD COAST TO PORT MACQUARIE: Saturday 18 August 2018 This morning we travel through the Tweed Valley en-route to our morning stop at Byron Bay, Australia s most easterly point. From Byron Bay we continue along the scenic coastal route to Ballina then onto Grafton, renowned for its Jacaranda trees. From Grafton we travel to Coffs Harbour, NSWs premier tourist resort and enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the city. This afternoon we continue south down the coast travelling through Kempsey and onto Port Macquarie, a vigorous resort town at the mouth of the Hastings River. The town has grown enormously since the early 1970s and claims to have the best climate in Australia. We enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation here. (Breakfast and dinner at the motel, Lunch en route) Waters Edge, Port Macquarie. PH: 02 6583 2955
DAY 15: (BL): HEADING HOME: Sunday 19 August 2018 After breakfast head for home along the Pacific Highway and travel south through Taree and Newcastle to join the Freeway and make our way through Sydney and return to Nowra. (Breakfast in the motel, Lunch en route) All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc. We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures, inclement weather etc. Deposit at time of booking. Balance by 15 th June 2018 Minimum No s needed for this to proceed Booking Terms & Conditions Accommodation is on share room basis in Motels, Hotels etc. The accommodation named may be altered without notice. The right is reserved to amend or modify the Itinerary at any time without notice for unpredictable weather or road conditions or for any other reason beyond our control. Cancellation Fees: In the event of cancellation of a tour the following fees apply: 60 days or more prior to departure, loss of deposit. Between 7 and 59 days prior to departure, 50% of tour price. Less than 7 days prior to departure, 100% of tour price. Refunds: No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour after departure. Responsibilities: Stuarts Travel advises that the service it provides is for the booking and packaging of goods and services provided by other operators such as hotels, motels and transportation companies. Passengers are advised to familiarize themselves with the terms and conditions on which these services are supplied. Accordingly, Stuarts Travel will not be responsible and will be excluded from any liability for any loss, damage, omission or acts being negligent or otherwise, committed by the operators of airlines, coach lines, rail travel, hotels/motels or attractions used in connection with the tour. The operator of this tour is Stuarts Travel Pty Ltd Payment to Stuarts Travel acknowledges that you have read, understand and accept these booking conditions. It is recommended to take out Travel Insurance at the time of booking your tour.